Responding to the UK government’s Spending Review, Nic Hailey CMG, Executive Director of International Alert, said:
The Spending Review announced by the Chancellor today stated that the government would “deliver a renewed ability to counter threats upstream” and use “alliances and key partnerships to strengthen the UK’s global efforts on conflict resolution and strategic risk reduction.”
The decision to cut foreign aid spending undermines these aims: it represents a false choice between defence and work that addresses the root causes of instability around the world. But the UK still has a big role to play, including with the budget that remains. Focusing development efforts on conflict prevention is crucial; so too is staying the course, with long-term, patient commitments and partnerships with countries and communities affected by conflict.
We urge the FCDO to put peace and conflict prevention at the core of its plans, including how its aid budget is spent: that’s both the right thing to do and the best value for UK taxpayers’ money.
